Worldwide TV coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics

NOS Netherlands

Like BBC speed-skating commentator Hugh Porter, veteran presenter Marts Smeets is best known for his cycling commentaries

The BBC’s theme tune for Vancouver 2010 is classicly dramatic, Eurosport’s contains a half-paced electro vibe, but the one used for NOS in the Netherlands has almost a Benny Hill feel to it – one of those sax-filled brass band tunes that could conceivably introduce anything.

Nothing old-fashioned about the coverage though in which the Dutch broadcasters push the boat out: a modern studio containing a young presenter, a second studio on-site with a veteran presenter and expert, two commentators plus a sideline reporter. It’s the classic European going-the-whole-hog style, and it suits NOS down to the ground, providing a dynamic pace with every possible angle covered. Studio presentation is from Hilversum.

As is the case across Europe, NOS devotes coverage on the main channel, kicking off around 1900 (1800 GMT) most evenings, continuing until the close of play in the wee small hours.

After the early early morning staple of teletext and a couple of cartoons, 90 minutes of morning highlights run from 7:30 to keep those who may have been asleep up-to-date on overnight developments.

Despite two other channels, coverage does not spill over to NOS2 or NOS3, but they don’t hold a monopoly on Dutch-language coverage. Flemish speakers in north and west Belgium receive through-the-night action on VRT and two hours of highlights every morning on éen (they also pick up the Dutch broadcasts from NOS).

Jeroen Stomphorst linking from studio

A wider look at the NOS Olympic studio

Henry Schut in his natural domain

Like BBC speed-skating commentator Hugh Porter, veteran presenter Marts Smeets is best known for his cycling commentaries